Reflection of Absence 1990

Richards Ruben made this painting, "Reflection of Absence", using a warm color palette and textural brushstrokes. The process of layering and blending colors creates depth and luminosity. Looking closely, you can see how the paint is applied, thick in some areas, thin in others, with visible brushstrokes that reveal the artist's hand. The surface has a tangible quality that invites you to reach out and touch it. I'm drawn to the upper right corner where a singular purple stroke appears like an after thought. This mark feels crucial to the piece, like a key unlocking a door. Ruben's work, with its emphasis on color and form, reminds me of other color field painters, like Mark Rothko, who sought to evoke spiritual experiences through abstraction. Ultimately, "Reflection of Absence" invites us to contemplate the interplay between presence and absence, inviting multiple interpretations.